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The Slovak Spectator covers Kaneenika's 3100 mile world record

About the author:

Rupantar has been the race director of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team since 1985, having been asked by Sri Chinmoy to serve in that capacity. As well as working on the big races the US Marathon Team organise each year - the 3100 Mile Race and the Six and 10 Day Race - he also spends a considerable amount of time archiving the Marathon Team's 40 year history on this website.

"The new women’s record for the world’s hardest run was rewritten by a Slovak, 47-year-old Kaneenika Janáková from Bratislava. After 48 days, 14 hours, 24 minutes and 10 seconds she reached the finish of the longest and the hardest run in the world – 3,100 miles (4,988 kilometres) in New York. She beat the world record by more than 17 hours. In the final ranking, she ended up in second place behind runner Vasu Duzhiy from Russia. He won the 21st Annual Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race, finishing the run in 47 days +05:39:00."

The New York Times: A Racewalker's Stats From Start to Finish: 3,100 Miles, 52 Days, 30 Outfits

About the author:

Rupantar has been the race director of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team since 1985, having been asked by Sri Chinmoy to serve in that capacity. As well as working on the big races the US Marathon Team organise each year - the 3100 Mile Race and the Six and 10 Day Race - he also spends a considerable amount of time archiving the Marathon Team's 40 year history on this website.

The following exerpt is from the New York Times, New York, Friday, July 21, 2017, page 29, by Corey Kilgannon

"On a recent weekday, a woman in hot pink exercise wear and a matching fedore strode briskly but effortlessly down a sidewalk alongside the Grand Central Parkway in Jamaica, Queens.

The woman, Yolanda Holdler, 59, an endurance racewalker known as the Walking Diva for her fashionable race outfits, has drawn attention as a first-time entrant to an unusaul race held every summer in which runners circle a single block for more than seven weeks straight, 18 hours a day, breaking only between midnight and 6 a.m. to sleep."

About the author:

Rupantar has been the race director of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team since 1985, having been asked by Sri Chinmoy to serve in that capacity. As well as working on the big races the US Marathon Team organise each year - the 3100 Mile Race and the Six and 10 Day Race - he also spends a considerable amount of time archiving the Marathon Team's 40 year history on this website.

"Call him Forrest Gump if you like, but you cannot help but be awed at Samir Singh’s passion for running. The 44-year-old has been running 100 kilometres every day through the busy streets of Mumbai since 29 April...

"It feels amazing to see the goal is about to be achieved," says Singh, who has been running for as long as he can remember. He set about on his mission after drawing inspiration from the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race, the longest certified footrace in world that is held in New York."

Day 44

The last day of July was a little warmer than the past four or five, and the competition to finish was also heating up a bit. Of the five potential finishers, Vasu Duzhiy led all with 66.4 miles. He has an insurmountable lead over Nirbhasa Magee, who is looking over his shoulder at the approaching hurricane known as Kaneenika Janakova. The Slovakian champ has whittled the gap between her and Mr Magee from over 44 miles (80 laps) on Day 9 to just over two miles (four laps) with just over 300 miles to go. What is most striking is that Miss Janakova is 68 laps (37.32 miles) ahead of record pace, held by the all-time great Surasa Mairer of Vienna, Austria from 2015. A little further back in the pack, Harita Davies is giving it all she has to hold on to even pace, with a nary a chance of a down day allowed, in her first attempt at 3100 miles. So far she has passed every test. Can she hang on is the question. And, the Walking Diva still lives after 44 days, as Yolanda Holder clings to a near-maximum plan that is bringing her closer to the goal with every step. Down over 40 miles to pace, the relentless Yolanda has whittled the deficit to under 20 miles, and aims to finish on the last day. Don't doubt this woman's determination, not to mention brilliant talent. With eight days to go, the race is gaining excitement. We will post honest estimates of finishing times as the top five head to their destiny, and the supporting cast move along, cheerfully, if not swiftly. Good luck to all.

Day 43

The exhilarating weather of the past few days gave way to a hot sun with no cloud cover today. Three runners made it past 60 miles, with women's leader Kaneenika Janakova winning Day leader honors again. She ran 64.75 miles, including passing the 2700 mile split a full nineteen hours faster than in 2016. She is within eight laps of second place overall. We may see three finishers this week.

Day 42

Six weeks have ended since the start of the 3100 Mile Race. Vasu Duzhiy needs just under 332 miles to finish, most likely late thursday evening. He has had a very solid race, considering serious back issues bothered him eight months ago from an accident that was work related. He is a foreman in a logging company. When he does finish, it will be his second best performance in the longest race, and daresay, one of his most rewarding. He has led from Day 1. His comrades in running shoes are also thinking of the end game of this journey. Nirbhasa Magee is over two days ahead of his previous best, so his effort must be giving him much joy. Kaneenika Janakova is still in command of the ladies battalion. She has climbed to within six miles of second place overall, and is poised for a fantastic ending next weekend. Harita Davies has been a model of consistency for all the race; her learning curve has been trending upward with every step. She is ten days away from the promised land of running. Yolanda Holder has defied the odds by just being in the race as the first and only walker to attempt the 3100. Her strategy now has been bolstered by another fine performance today, leading the ladies with 65.31 miles. If she is able to avoid a bad day in the remaining ten, she will reach her remarkable goal. The remaining five runners will continue on, that is their nature- to never give up. Miles can be attained, progress can be made, joy can be discovered, even in the midst of the reality ahead. Because they are pioneers of the new dawn of human potential and self-discovery, the runner's human experiment of body and soul continues.

Day 41

Vasu Duzhiy reached 2700 miles for the sixth time in his multi-day career, all but sealing a win that appears about six days away. He reached 63.11miles today, extending his overall lead to 97 miles. Kaneenika Janakova was Day Leader, however, as she garnered 63.66 miles to move closer to an historic finish. She has not tallied less than 112 laps (61.46 miles), since Day 7. Her consistency and high mileage are setting new milestones for women as she nears the last 500 miles of the race. It is not a done deal, but the mild weather has helped her maintain an amazing performance level. Harita Davies has finally reached the plus column in mileage throughout the race and seeks to build on this small security blanket. With 11 days left she is two laps ahead of pace. Yolanda Holder completed her eighth straight day at 62.01 miles or more. She has to maintain mileage and form for 11 more days, one day at a time. A daunting task, but for Yolanda, there is only one option- Go for it.

Day 40

Temperatures were still cool for this month and this time of the year in New York. That means good numbers of laps, and generally happy runners in the 3100. Nirbhasa Magee went through the 4000km split in a personal best two days and five hours faster than his performance in 2015. Kaneenika Janakova created a new women's 4000 km record, slicing 8 hours and 59 minutes off of 'The Legend' Suprabha Beckjord's mark from 1998, a time that had lasted 19 years. The performance artist known as Ananda-Lahari Zuscin continued his superman impersonation with 71.89 miles, fresh off the previous day total of 87.8 miles. Vasu Duzhiy lengthened his overall lead with a solid 66.95 miles. The veteran champion is ahead by 95 miles with only 462 miles remaining. He should finish in a week or eight days, depending on his health and strength.

Day 39

Vasu Duzhiy ran 62.56 miles today, and stands only 529 miles away from another finish, and another victory. He is cruising into his last week on the course with no worries, little stress. Yet, he is giving his best every day.He could have stayed home to mend a back injury, yet the spark was there to come back and run. His sixth straight finish awaits in eight days or so. Kaneenika Janakova led the ladies again with 64.75 miles. She is ahead of her best by 60+ laps, and is in position to threaten the record. She has also climbed within 14 miles of second place- truly a great performance is happenning right before our eyes. She is pulling along Harita Davies, who is nearly even on pace to finish, as well as Yolanda Holder, who again reached 62.0144 miles, to stay in the plan to reach the Goal.

There is no question that every entrant in the 3100 Mile Race is talented in the sport of running very long distances. The comparison of talents is based on results, but results sometimes do not define the runner, the heart that he or she displays. Their emotions are often on their wrists, ready to be given or expressed at a moments notice. The stress level of this particular very long race can be very high as the days and weeks go by. Today, the least recognized athlete, the 'Lanterne Rouge' of the group, expressed a talent deep and exhilarating at the same time. Ananda-Lahari Zuscin, for all the questions about his heart, his mind, or his ability- released a wonderful run- 87.80 miles to be exact. It was not intended to be a statement- he is a man of few words. Rather, it is his canvas, this race, and as an artist of the race he chooses how to get the laps- fast as possible or at a walking pace slower than the people he avoids bumping into on the sidewalk. This race is his life's work- 13 episodes in 13 years of trying. We wish him many more. He loves ice cream, too!

Day 38

Vasu Duzhiy led all runners today with 66.4 miles, extending his lead over second place to nearly 88 miles. He went through the 4000km split for the sixth time in his career, running his second fastest time for this far-reaching landmark. Kaneenika Janakova continued the run to her personal best with precision again today as well, making 64.75 miles, and grabbing a few extra minutes of rest before the next encounter.

Day 38

Vasu Duzhiy led all runners today with 66.4 miles, extending his lead over second place to nearly 88 miles. He went through the 4000km split for the sixth time in his career, running his second fastest time for this far-reaching landmark. Kaneenika Janakova continued the run to her personal best with precision again today as well, making 64.75 miles, and grabbing a few extra minutes of rest before the next encounter.

Day 37

Four runners made it past 60 miles today. The weather was furious rain and wind in the mid-morning, lasting until lunch break, which left stacks of sloshed shoes and rain parkas, but no complainers. The mercury stayed at 65ºF (19.9C), the lowest since the beginning of the race. By evening it was time to run faster. Kaneenika Janakova was practically dancing around the course, leading the Day with 64.2 miles. She is 39+ miles ahead of her finish of 2016, and is feeling no pain. Nirbhasa Magee matched Kaneenika with laps until the last two hours, her leg speed too much for a chase. His lead over third place overall has dwindled to 18 miles. Harita Davies climbed to within two laps of even par for the race with 60.91 miles. Yolanda Holder continues to ratchet it up the last three hours of every day, reaching 62.01 miles for the fourth consecutive day. Folks, if you are a night-owl, you have got to witness the history being made by the top three ladies. It is worth the trip. 15 days remain.

Day 36

Vasu Duzhiy led the way yet again with 66.95 miles, as the top five performed well, and seemed to have recovered from the hot weather and the local handball tournament crowds. Nirbhasa Magee and Kaneenika Janakova both ran consistently and late to reach 62.56 miles. Harita Davies continues her push to level par, standing only four laps shy of the feathery cushion known as 'on pace'. She has been a model of consistency throughout and is learning the race lessons quickly. The same could be said of Yolanda Holder, as she continues to walk quickly and take back lost laps needed to finish. She etched out another 62.01 miles- consistent with her plan and her energy output. Her determination is sky high.

The New York Times profiles 3100 Mile runner Yolanda Holder

About the author:

Rupantar has been the race director of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team since 1985, having been asked by Sri Chinmoy to serve in that capacity. As well as working on the big races the US Marathon Team organise each year - the 3100 Mile Race and the Six and 10 Day Race - he also spends a considerable amount of time archiving the Marathon Team's 40 year history on this website.

This year, Yolanda Holder aimed to be the first person to complete the 3100 Mile Race race by walking the entire distance. The New York Times' Corey Kilgannon came to visit the course and wrote a profile beginning as follows...

"On a recent weekday, a woman in hot pink exercise wear and a matching fedore strode briskly but effortlessly down a sidewalk alongside the Grand Central Parkway in Jamaica, Queens. The woman, Yolanda Holdler, 59, an endurance racewalker known as the Walking Diva for her fashionable race outfits, has drawn attention as a first-time entrant to an unusual race held every summer in which runners circle a single block for more than seven weeks straight, 18 hours a day, breaking only between midnight and 6 a.m. to sleep."

Day 35

Today the runners had to run around the hundreds of people at the northwest end of the course, as the annual handball tournament took place.The moderate heat wave started to leave the area with cloudy skies late in the afternoon, followed by a few raindrops. It almost looked like we escaped the rain until about 10:20pm (22:20), when the clouds opened up, and the earth met the sky. in the meantime, the top five stayed relevent with each over 60 miles. Nirbhasa Magee and Kaneenika Janakova reached 64.2 miles to tie for Day Leader. Yolanda Holder went past 2000 miles for the first time in her career, and again fashioned a 62.01 mile day. She still has a chance to finish, but the burden of mileage and the mathmatics will not allow another sub-par day. Her margin for error is slim. Can she hold her form for 17 more days? Stay tuned.

Day 34

The first six runners all made it past sixty miles today, a day filled with hot sun and nary a breeze until late. Vasu Duzhiy and Kaneenika Janakova dazzled with 65.3 miles- a brilliant total considering the 93º heat and high humidity index. Nirbhasa Magee was not far behind with 64.2. Harita Davies inched closer to even par with 60.91 miles, including passing the 2000 mile mark for the first time in her career. Yolanda Holder walked 62.01 miles, not about to give up the challenge to finish the race. Smarana Puntigam had his best total in the last eight days with 60.3 miles.

Day 33

Today was the toughest heat and humidity day in the race so far this year. The air seemed dense and breathing was more labored. Somehow, the top three kept it over 60 miles each, with the amazing Kaneenika Janakova leading the charge with 64.75 miles. The 96º F and hot sun could not stop Nirbhasa Magee either, who led the fellas with 62.01 miles. Overall leader Vasu Duzhiy had a furious rally to get to sixty miles, running fast laps the last hour to get the lap above minimum. It rained briefly at 830 pm, but the damage had been inflicted on the runners all day. We will see who survived the last four days intact.

Day 32

It was hot today, with temps in the nineties, the humidity sticky, the sun blazing. The runners moved along, aware of the obstacles. Kaneenika Janakova prevailed overall again, a fine 65.3 miles giving her Day Leader status. She also slipped past 2000 miles for the third time in her career. Nirbhasa Magee went past 2000 miles for the second time, this time a full two days earlier than his effort in 2015. The two rookies Harita Davies and Yolanda Holder maintained par and a lap better, respectively, to keep the plan for reaching the goal in play. Much has yet to be decided in this 52-day race of 3100 miles. The heat continues for another day or two before relief arrives. Chapter 33 starts tomorrow.

Day 31

On a hot sunny day in the middle of summer in New York, the intrepid ten runners continued their push for high mileage. The first three are all on pace to finish at either near or in some cases, far beyond their previous efforts. Vasu Duzhiy again led the troupe with 66.9 miles. Almost a day and a half behind sits Nirbhasa Magee, who is having an excellent race and is over two days ahead of his previous finish. And Kaneenika Janakova is still cementing an overall podium finish and is within six hours of her approaching 2000 mile women's all- time best split from 2016. Harita Davies pulled back four more laps today to close to within 5.8 miles of even pace. Yolanda Holder backed up her fine effort of 68 miles with a par 59.81 miles. The weather patterns forecast another warm day on Wednesday, followed by rain and gradual cooling in the days ahead, so the runners are already dreaming of faster laps and more precious miles (km). Three weeks remain. It is still all about laps, one at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time. You never know....you just might win the search.

Day 30

With the difficult past day of running behind, the somewhat rejuvenated band of ten made some good noise today. Vasu Duzhiy increased his lead to nearly 85 miles with a solid 67. 5 miles. Late in the evening Vasu reached 2000 miles for the sixth time in his career. Women's leader Kaneenika Janakova reached 65.3 miles to extend her women's lead. Next woman Harita Davies reached 62.0144, her best day since Day 1, and in the process took back two precious miles to move within eight of level. Third woman, the walker Yolanda Holder followed a sub par day with a fabulous 68.05 miles of fast walking, taking back over eight miles of treasure lost the day before. She still has a chance to get to level, since 22 days remain. Her focus and skill are amazing to watch. She would have been the Day Leader by one lap if not for the forgotten man- Ananda-Lahari Zuscin. This gentle soul ripped off five minute laps for hours and hours. As the sun set he was still moving comfortably, and quick as ever. A few minutes after 11:00 pm (23:00), he stopped, having conquered 147 laps- 80.6736 miles (129.832km). These athletes, after so many days and laps are still putting up numbers!